"I am endorsing Barack Obama because he is a new kind of leader, he speaks with a different voice, he brings a new perspective and inspires a real excitement from the American people," Klobuchar said in a conference call with reporters. "He's able to dissolve the hard cynical edge that has dominated our politics under the Bush administration."

"Barack has inspired an enthusiasm and an idealism that we haven't seen in this country in a long time," she also said.

Klobuchar was elected to the Senate in 2006 - the first woman elected to the Senate from Minnesota.

"When I ran for the senate, I ran to bring change to Washington, not simply to become a woman senator. I am proud to be a woman in the Senate," Klobuchar also said. "My best friends are women in the Senate, but much like Senator Obama, I ran on a platform of change."

(Updates with comments from Klobuchar)

Related video: Watch Sen. Klobuchar discuss her endorsement with John King

soundoff(313 Responses)

Dan Chicago

Read between the lines. How can you make a decision like that before the rest of the primaries. Did Pelosi get to you behind closed doors?

March 31, 2008 10:51 am at 10:51 am |

Lou

Clinton told Huffington Post she would take this thing all the way to the convention in August if she had to. That is going to scare these super delegates to come out and endorse. No one (except clinton) wants to be left with only two months to prepare for the general election.

March 31, 2008 10:51 am at 10:51 am |

Nancy

Way to go Senator!!! Thank you. Another smart person who is doing the right thing for this country!!!! O8AMA

March 31, 2008 10:51 am at 10:51 am |

Floridian

Woohoo! Welcome to the Obama camp.

March 31, 2008 10:52 am at 10:52 am |

Independent in Florida

gee I wonder what bigmouth J. Cargill will have to say about this endorsement

March 31, 2008 10:52 am at 10:52 am |

Ismail

Amy is my senator and with her support for obama it is like I voted twice for Obama.

March 31, 2008 10:52 am at 10:52 am |

MN native

Thank you senator! I agree all superdelegates should make their decisions asap. lets end this already.

March 31, 2008 10:53 am at 10:53 am |

charles

Good, I don't even know who she is, but this is still a good news. Wasn't this a state that voted in Super Tuesday?

March 31, 2008 10:54 am at 10:54 am |

Arnold, WV

When was the last time Clinton had an endorsement?You see the same two people arguing her case all the time,Carvile and The Gov of PA. Whoop-de-doo! Go home Hillary!!!

March 31, 2008 10:54 am at 10:54 am |

Garth

Isn't this article on the above endorsement an insult to Sen. Amy Klubochar?

March 31, 2008 10:55 am at 10:55 am |

Kurt

On the heels of Bob Casey last week, another respectable superdelegate for Obama.

Elliot Spitzor WAS a superdelegate for Clinton, until his antics were recently uncovered. Hillary's already weak popularity continues to drop as her fiing squad continues the negative campagining. She should stop shooting herself in the foot, and withdraw graciously.

I can't wait to be rid of the Clintons.

March 31, 2008 10:56 am at 10:56 am |

Captain Underpants

The super-delegates will largely pick Obama because they fear the split in the party if the pick Clinton.

As usual, picking party over the good of the country.

March 31, 2008 10:57 am at 10:57 am |

Richard, an ex-Republcan in Minnesota

Thank you Sen. Klobuchar! You have represented the desires of your constituents!

March 31, 2008 10:59 am at 10:59 am |

BillieJean in Idaho

Thank You Senator Klobuchar!

March 31, 2008 11:00 am at 11:00 am |

R. DEEZY

Thanx Sen. Amy. That's whats up.
Si Se Puede!

March 31, 2008 11:00 am at 11:00 am |

vic nashville,Tn

Hi Obama
These endorsement may help you to win the nominee
In November ????????????????
In November Voters will say sorry

March 31, 2008 11:02 am at 11:02 am |

Venus

Yes! What a sweet move!!! The beat goes on! Thank you Senator Klobuchar! Next- John Edwards – his wife doesn't like Hillary!
I guess a lot of people are taking Bill Clinton's advise to 'chill out'!

March 31, 2008 11:03 am at 11:03 am |

Terry

MNDem, good comment. You seem to like to keep things real. Very good comment.

Thanks John! I agree. She is an inspiration. Smart and Intelligent decision by Senator Klobuchar.

March 31, 2008 11:04 am at 11:04 am |

Jim Shimmer

Amazing news.
Everyone is realizing the truth expect Billary. Time to warp up the race.
Obama is the clear choice. He truly is.

Billary can't even manage a small campaign, she will never be able to manage the economy. No way.